Cong not to join cabinet till Statehood restored: Karra
‘If BJP tries to unstabilise Govt, INC will jump’ *We don’t support NC over power tariff hike Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Aug 27: Putting all the speculations of Congress joining the Omar-led cabinet in the Jammu and Kashmir to rest, the...
‘If BJP tries to unstabilise Govt, INC will jump’
*We don’t support NC over power tariff hike
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 27: Putting all the speculations of Congress joining the Omar-led cabinet in the Jammu and Kashmir to rest, the JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra today said that Congress will not join cabinet with the National Conference till the Statehood is restored to the Jammu and Kashmir.
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Talking to media-persons after addressing a function at Reasi today, Karra said Congress had taken a principled stand not to join the Government till the Statehood is restored and its stand is unchanged.
"Congress can't climb down from it's principled stand of restoration of Statehood and other constitutional rights, taken away from people in order to join the Government. But if the BJP tries to disturb the stability of NC Government anytime, the Congress will always be there to rescue and support," the JKPCC chief said.
"In the past two years, our stand has been absolutely clear. We will not become part of the Cabinet until Statehood is restored. Supporting the National Conference Government does not imply that we will join the Cabinet," Karra added.
He further said that Congress support to the National Conference also doesn't mean that we will remain silent on the issues of governance and fulfilling the commitments to the people by the Government.
The Congress had extended support to the National Conference with the sole objective of safeguarding the communal harmony and unity of Jammu and Kashmir. The restoration of Statehood and protecting the rights of people over land, jobs and natural resources remained the party's foremost demand, Karra asserted.
On the issue of power tariff hike, Congress has already opposed burdening the common man who is already suffering. Rather he demanded that Government should come out with a comprehensive amnesty scheme for power to give relaxations to the common man.
“This power tariff hike is neither fair nor just. Placing an additional burden on consumers in such circumstances is not in the interest of the people. The Government must look into the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers and protect their interests," Karra added.
It is pertinent to mention here that a six-member Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sworn-in on October 16 last year, which did not include any Congress member. The National Conference, which is part of the INDIA opposition alliance, is opposed to the revocation of Article 370.
In the elections held last year, the NC emerged as the single largest party and staked claim to form the Government with Congress support. The Congress has since been extending outside support to the Government while keeping the party's options open on joining the Cabinet
Earlier, during the function a number of new members joined the Congress family, expressing their faith in the ideology, policies and leadership of the Indian National Congress.
The programme was attended by Raman Bhalla, working president JKPCC; Ch Lal Singh, former Minister and MP; Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Minister; Babu Jagjeevan Lal, former Minister; Rajesh Sadotra, general secretary JKPCC; Rakesh Wazir, general secretary JKPCC; Bhupinder Singh, former District president; Munshi Ram Salalia, Ayaz Hussain; Ajay Salalia and others.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla emphasised the need to further strengthen the Congress organisation at the grassroots level and called upon party workers to remain connected with the people and work for their welfare. He stressed the importance of unity, discipline and collective efforts in strengthening the organisation in Jammu & Kashmir.
Ch Lal Singh welcomed the new entrants especially the younger generation into party and said that people have realised the anti people and anti youth policies of BJP Government. Jugal Kishore Sharma and other senior leaders also addressed the gathering.
